Monday, January 9, 2017

the beginning of a GREAT year!

Hope you all have had a great start to
2017! Its a great time to look at our lives and think about what we hope to
achieve this year and what ways we can become more like our Saviour Jesus
Christ.

This week has been incredible. I have
truly seen that Heavenly Father has been guiding our work every where we go. He
has put so many amazing people in our paths. This week I have really thought
about what kind of missionary I hope to be and the things I want to accomplish
and do before this time is over :( Through mighty prayer, deeper desires,
and hard work we have seen many miracles. One of the things that has helped me
to see little miracles or tender mercies is I have started a journal to just
write each night things that happened that day that I have been able to see
have come from Heavenly Father. I know it has deepened my relationship with Him
because I have come to know Him better and seen how He works each day to help
us! Its been such a cool experience. Another thing that has really helped me this
week to feel closer to Heavenly Father is dedicated time I have taken out of
each day to really study the Book of Mormon. Really the only way we can partake
of the Atonement of Christ is through continually feasting on the scriptures.
It brings an added measure of peace, comfort, and the Spirit to our lives and
can truly help us to overcome temptation and make good choices. This week we
have asked all the recent converts in our ward if they notice a difference when
they have read the Book of Mormon each day and they all gave specific examples
of when they have read more consistently. It can really change lives!!!

Some other highlights of the week:

We were street contacting one night
before a lesson with a recent convert and we met a guy named Bryan from China
who is studying at the university. We just started talking to him and just
shared what we do as missionaries, because he is from China he hasn't ever
really had an opportunity to learn about God, but he had thought about Him
before. He happened to just be taking a walk to have a break from studying for
his exams and we were able to teach him right then because we were near the
missionary house! We helped him to understand who God is and that He could help
him with his exams! It is amazing how the gospel can help everyone at every
point of their lives.

We met another Chinese student named
Chendu, we had met her a couple weeks before on the street and then this week
she thought it was a sign from God that we met her again. It was similar to
Bryan, where she hasn't had the chance to learn about God. We taught her and
she loved it and really felt that God is there. She even called us her angels
haha!

Then there is this guy named Michael, he
is from England and has been through a lot, more than anyone ever should. He
has tried a lot of things to find good in his life but hasn't found anything
that has really helped him. We just pray that he can recognise that the gospel
is exactly what he is looking for! He said the only reason he has met with us
is because he felt like we were good people that really cared about him. I have
learned that it doesn't always matter what we say or how we say it but if we
show people we truly care about them and help them feel the spirit that is what
draws people to the gospel! We have met with him a couple times and each time
he has opened up to us more and can feel we are just here to help him find God
and find good. We have really listened and as we have, its amazing how the
Spirit has helped us know what to say. One of the lessons with Michael we had 2
of our recent converts there that were perfect with him! It was the most
amazing thing having them share their experiences of how the gospel has helped
them overcome challenges and helped them to improve the qualities of their
lives. One of the new members even shared a scripture that he had remembered.
It was such a happy moment seeing their progression in the gospel!

Another amazing thing that happened this
week is we went to York to serve with the sisters there and guess who happens
to be serving in the area we were in?? ELDER NORTON! We were able to see each
other and even got permission from President to have tea together :) It was
amazing to be reunited. It was just a great moment to reconnect, share what we
have been working on, and what we hope to achieve And to look at each other in
the mission home on our last night and say, "we did all we
could." I know that will be a great moment :) I have been so blessed to be
able to learn from him!

I have felt so much joy this week as I
have just turned this work over to Heavenly Father and trusted in Him. He could
do this work without me, but I am blessed to be able to be apart of
it! Yes, there are still hard moments but it is so worth it.

Sorry this is so long... but I hope you
all have a great week!!!!!

love you!

Sister Stevens

Christmas Caroling in the Shopping Centre

still doing hair

Christmas Day

New Year's we were sick with chest infections

but we still had fun and played Uno and went to bed at 8pm :)

Nellie a member from Russia

Exchanges in York! Lisel got to have Tea with Elder Norton!!! She said it was the best day!

2 comments:

Your Nan and Pop love hearing about all you are learning and we are learning the very same wonderful life lessons. We are never too old to learn to serve the Lord better and to love more like the Savior. If we hadn't been willing to leave all our comfortable lives. He could not have given us all these amazing blessings. You are wonderful, sister Stevens and we are so proud to be your Nan and Pop. You are getting and education that no University on earth could give you. We love you so much and are so grateful you share these wonderful experiences with us